The Chicago Cubs have acquired Jeff Baker from the Colorado Rockies,
according to a source close to the club . . . Baker, an infielder, went
on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 27 and was transferred
to the 60-day DL on May 24. He began a minor league rehab assignment
June 19.

Baker is a utility guy who can play multiple infield and outfield
positions. And he’s injured. This is Jimmy Stewart-in-“Vertigo” level
creepy. Next thing you know the Cubs will be forcing him to grow out
his hair and wear a “DeRosa” jersey to satisfy their profound longing
for their lost love.

With Odorizzi, the Twins finally have the front-end starter they’ve been seeking all winter. It’s a bargain deal as well, as the 27-year-old righty is under contract through 2019 and didn’t require the club to part with any of their top-shelf prospects in the trade. Odorizzi will be looking to stage a comeback in 2018 after a dismal performance with the Rays last year, during which he eked out a career-worst 4.14 ERA, 3.8 BB/9 and 8.0 SO/9 through 143 1/3 innings.

Palacios, 21, ranked no. 27 in the Twins’ system last season. He split his year between Single-A Cedar Rapids and High-A Fort Myers, raking a combined .296/.333/.454 with 13 home runs and 20 stolen bases in 539 plate appearances. He’s expected to continue developing at shortstop, though he’s also seen limited time at second and third base during his four-year career in the minors.